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28.2.11

It is imperative that we fight against the powers of darkness and anything the Lord says is not from Him.

7. For the life of a Christian, it's not enough just to serve God and have a personal relationship with Jesus. As mentioned in aforementioned posts, we are threats to the enemy and we pose as greater threats to the evil one as we grow and flourish in our relationship with Christ. Romans 8:37 says, But in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us. According to the Bible, we conquer over our problems, issues, and adversities. We are victorious. But, for the majority of Christians, do we feel that way? Let me be forward and say, no, we don't. Why? Because, referring to the body of Christ in general, we are a bunch of heartless sissies. We are revolting cowards. We cower at the first sign of distress. We should be ashamed of ourselves! We portray that Christ is bigger, better, stronger, and yet we, imitators of Christ, can barely handle it when people tell us the truth in love or give us constructive criticism. It's as if we are made of foam and cannot withstand even the smallest attacks from the enemy. As I have mentioned before, the enemy works with people to hurt, discourage, and bring you down, so oftentimes, the attack from the enemy comes in the form of, sadly, a friend or family member. Not always (as you have to distinguish between someone hurting you and telling you the truth in love). As a Christian, if you are succumbing to the attacks and tortures of the enemy, you are not behaving like the ambassador of Christ. Luke 10:19 clearly demonstrates the authority we have been given over the evil one: I have given you the authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to destroy the enemy's power. Nothing will hurt you. (Snakes and scorpions are not referring to actual snakes and scorpions, but anything that may sting you or hurt you; so essentially, everything not according to the Word of God, including sickness, disease, offence, hurt, etc.). We clearly have more power than the enemy. In fact, the evil one doesn't have any power, and yet, he continues to convince you that he is more powerful than you? How does he do that? He obviously doesn't demonstrate it physically; he gets inside your head and manages to convince you that you are powerless. That is why spiritual warfare is crucial. Fighting the enemy is absolutely necessary. He constantly throws darts at you, to bring you down, and you just sit there and take it? Stand up and fight, you champion! Actually, the enemy will throw more and more darts at stronger Christians because they are the most treacherous threats. Why? Because they withstand attacks from the enemy. Shallow Christians get hit too; only they fall at the first small and slightly dangerous attack. It is normal for God's champions to be attacked because we know how to overcome the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 says, Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. You ask yourself, why would God allow this to happen? Why wouldn't He do anything? Because you already have the power in the Word and Him to defeat the evil one. The reason why stronger Christians receive more opposition is because every time they resist the enemy, he attempts to bring more opposition. As a Christian, we are not supposed to let the enemy take advantage of us. We are daughters and sons of the most High God--princes and princesses. We need to have a word of attack whenever the enemy pokes something at us. When a thought comes that is not aligning to the Word of God, speak the Word against that thought (1 Corinthians 10:5). If symptoms appear to be potentially life-threatening, speak against that sickness (Isaiah 53:5). After all, if the enemy can enter in your mind and believe the lies he feeds, then you're done. The enemy prowls like a lion, seeking who he can devour, but he is a toothless, clawless lion. He can't do anything to you. He has nothing that can harm you; he is all roar and no action. The only thing he can use to defeat you is his words. There is nothing he can physically do that will ever bring you down. The enemy is powerless. When a situation arises that seems to have the enemy's fingerprints all over it, you speak over that situation with Scripture and do not let the enemy make you think that he can win and you can lose. We are champions. We have victory over the enemy. In fact, Isaiah 54:17 says, No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the LORD's servants. Their victory comes from me," declares the LORD. No weapon from the enemy will never ever prevail against you. When a fiery dart from the enemy comes against you, you speak against that dart with a Word, and it will bounce right off you, leaving you free from smoke or fire. We are warriors in God's army. Ephesians 6:12 states, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And since God provides us with supernatural enablement--the ability to get results--we have victory over the enemy and he is eternally defeated. We are the victorious ones, not him. Did Jesus let His problems get to Him? Did He ever succumb to his issues? The answer is no; he refuted against them and that is why He is victory. We are the champions and he is the loser. Put him in his rightful place: in the pit of hell. And let him bug someone else. He is a piece of crap. Fight against him. In fact, you should fight against him right now for he even thinking that he could win. The evil one is a piece of scum and you have God-given authority to defeat him. So use it. Don't let his attacks seep into you.

27.2.11

As I have mentioned before, it's not enough to know about God and Jesus and how loving He is and How through Him, we no longer are condemned to hell. That's wonderful; but that's not enough. It's incomplete. What the Western culture presents is a watered-down Gospel, one that does not fully express the raw and powerful love of Jesus Christ. I can't cover everything but I will try to give you the most comprehensible view of Christianity for what it really is. It's difficult to cover everything since, as a Christian, you are always moving forward; you never stay stale and there is so much to serving God that just seven or eight, or twenty basic things. I hope, however, that through viewing and reading this, you see God not as a weak and hurtful God, but a Sovereign and all-powerful God who restores you in every way. It's not enough to have lukewarm or half faith; you need to strong, deep, and complete faith in what God says He is doing, according to the Word. Joshua 1:8 exemplifies the important of appropriating the Word: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

4. Where we last left off, we were discussing the Bible and how the Word of God is powerful when utilized in faith and spoken in confidence. Moreover, the Bible is a weapon. A weapon of mass destruction against the forces of darkness. Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. We have covered that; however, it's not just enough to know it. You have to say it. In Matthew 4, Jesus went to the desert to fast. During that time, the enemy (Satan) tempts Jesus and how did Jesus overcome the enemy? He spoke the Word. Ephesians 6:17 says, Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The word word originates from the Greek word rhema, which means to speak. So, God gave us the Word so we can speak it. When God created the earth, He didn't think it, He spoke it into existence, just as we are to speak the Word of God into existence. It's just enough to know the Word of God and for it to flow in your heart and spirit. It is only powerful and practical when you say it because only when you speak it when it is concrete and God begins to move.

5. You know that God exists and that He loves you. Next, you should know that satan exists and he hates you. Just as much as God loves you, satan hates you. But because satan is so lowly and does not even deserves to be mentioned, we will now refer to him and the evil one. When I say that the evil one hates you, it's not the type of hate when you exclaim, oh! I hate that store/artist/band/colour/etc. The evil one's hate is hate in every essence of the word in extreme measures. In fact, the evil one hates you so much that he never wanted to live. In John 10:10, it says, The enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. The evil one tries to destroy you from the moment you are conceived. He tried to convince your mother to abort you, that you are no significant enough to be born (God, on the other hand, sees you as so significant that there is a reason why He created you). If the evil one can't stop you from being born, perhaps he can stop you from serving God. If he can stop you from serving God, you will go to hell (in specifics later). But God doesn't want you to spend eternity in a place that is not with Him. Then, if you get saved, you become a potential threat because you officially become part of God's family. To stop you from being a threat to the evil one, he desires to limit you--to only go so far in life. You can be saved, he couldn't stop that, but even in your salvation, you can be limited. The evil one doesn't want the best in your life like your Heavenly Father does. Ultimately, the enemy wants to contain you; like being imprisoned within 4 walls, the enemy wants to keep you in that spot, never moving forward, and never achieving anything in life. How does the enemy contain you? First, by ignorance. He wants you to keep you ignorant of the Word. If you know the Word, then you know how to defeat him, and the enemy doesn't want you to discover victory over him because that means the game is over for him. If the evil one can keep you thinking wrongly of the Bible or never learning anything, then you will never claim your dominion over the enemy. The enemy hates to be defeated because, as mentioned before, he wants to destroy your faith, and if you discover words from the Word that fuels your faith, you discover the key to eternal victory over the evil one. Secondly, he can keep you contained is by offence. Offence is not permitted in the body of Christ. Proverbs 17:9 says, Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. If you fester that offence, that hurt, you can't keep moving forward because that offence breeds more negative feelings, which puts a wall between you and God, thereby allowing the enemy to come in and screw you over. What you must understand is that the enemy can't do anything unless God gives him permission. You ask yourself, why would God give the enemy permission to ruin your life if God is a loving and merciful God? Well, God only allows the evil one to enter if there is something that breaks the holy protection of the Holy Spirit. Usually, it's a sin. When you sin and you don't forsake that sin or simply cover it up (thus entering into habitual sin), the evil one can come because sin stops the outpouring of God's protection and blessing. With no protection, the evil one can come and jack you up. Once you repent (completely turn away from the sin; forgive and forsake), God's protection once again comes upon you and the enemy cannot hurt you...though that doesn't mean he won't try...Just because God is with you and He protects you doesn't mean the enemy won't try to mess you up. He won't be successful, but he'll try. One thing that the enemy is is persistent. He will not stop. He is also not original. He will come with the same thing to hurt, destroy, and mess you up because he knows what your weaknesses are. The enemy has, metaphorically speaking, a filing system that organizes what your weaknesses are. He has studied you long enough to know what makes you stumble and he will use it, pinpointing it the target, sure that it will cause you to fall. But rejoice, because you have all the necessary tools to overcome and defeat the devil--the Word of God. See why he wants to keep you contained by ignorance? If you know what you know, then he's certain he's defeated and that means YOU can help save more people and bring more people into the kingdom of Heaven and that makes the evil one incontrovertibly raged. 1 Peter 5:8 says, Be sober [aware], be vigilant [alert]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. He looks to see who he can ruin. Don't let that be you. Know your weapon--the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. (Isaiah 54:17, Hebrews 4:12). And lastly, the enemy can keep you contained by a distraction. He is going to use everything to distract you from your life. And usually, that distraction comes in the form of a person: your family, your friends, your peers, even your pastor. When you spend time with a person long enough, subconsciously you adapt their way of thinking quickly, which then molds your way of thinking. Eventually, this person can lead you believe certain things about the Bible that will not influence your way of living. Proverbs 23:7 says, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Translation: as man thinks, that's what he does. Surrounding yourself with people who will lead you down a good and godly course is crucial; otherwise, it will corrupt you. The enemy will do all he can in his (limited) power to make sure you never succeed or get anywhere in life. The enemy hates you, so hate him back. Just the fact that he wants to completely destroy should arouse your holy anger and give him what he truly deserves: eternal defeat. Go on, yell at him.

6. You know that God exists and He has a kingdom: Heaven. You should also be aware that the evil one exists and has his own domain: hell. First of all, I have many people asking me, If God is so loving, then why would he make hell? Okay, God did not make hell for people; he made it for demons and the evil one himself. But, since God gave free will, we decide whether we want to spend eternity in paradise or in eternal torture. Hell, believe or not, ladies and gentleman, is real. Let's look at this physically. The evil is called the prince of the earth (Jesus is called the King of all, which means that everything the enemy does goes through him, just so you know), which means that the earth is his domain but under God's dominion. Hell, depicted in cartoons, is shown as a fiery furnace engulfed with flames. The earth's core (more specifically, the inner core) is hotter than 5505 °C approximately. The inner core is surrounded by a thick layer of liquid, then a sheer shell of unknown substance (that seems to be stronger than steel) that covers the inner core's "entrance". In Russia, scientists conducted a study and dug into the earth 14 km deep and heard eerie, shrieking noises that seemed to sound similar to screaming of intense and unimaginable pain. When the scientists listened to the screaming, it appeared to be human souls in agony. The scientists were completely astonished to discover that their findings affirmed the belief of hell. If you don't believe me and continue with the absurd belief that either there is no life after death or we all go "somewhere", then die. No, seriously, die, and you will realize the truth about heaven and hell. Unfortunately, it will be a final destination; you will be there for eternity. It may be difficult to wrap your mind around forever, but you will be there, and you will go there based on your own pride. Sounds harsh? Doesn't mean it's not the truth. Think the recordings are a fake? Go listen to it (find it yourself on the internet, you sissy). You can't fake that type of agonizing and painful shrieking. God never intended for His creation--as all of us, unsaved or saved, are His creation--to end up in eternal pain. Now, in hell, you just don't feel or experience pain. It is pain. The smell is worse than death itself; the screaming is constant, never ceasing; and people gnash their teeth and bang their heads and they plead with Jesus (because Jesus went in hell for 3 days after His death to bring back what is rightfully His, therefore bringing EVERYTHING back in Christ's hands) to help their loved ones receive Him because they don't want an eternal imprisonment; they don't want their loved ones to go to hell. In fact, every single person in hell wants their loved ones not to go to hell. Now, how do I know this? Simple: Jesus, through supernatural transportation, brings your spirit (since we are all spirit; this body is simply a shell--more on this later as well!!) into hell and you experience it first-hand what it is like there for eternity. I can't express how deeply and passionately I want everyone to go to Heaven. I don't want you to go to hell. Perhaps I have never met you. Perhaps you are reading this from another country, another continent, another hemisphere, and I just want to know, that even though I don't know, I don't want you to go to hell. It is a place where you cannot change. The small time here on earth makes all the importance of forever, because the time here determines where you will spend forever. Romans 8:9-11: You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. If you surrender your soul to Lord Christ Jesus, the only One worthy of serving, and admit that you are sinner but want Him to enter your life, you will spend eternity with Him, in paradise. Don't make the mistake of being proud, refusing to acknowledging that there is damnation; make the decision to serve Him and you will never be the same again. How? Because I was just like you, and my life will never be the same. And if you make the decision to make Jesus the Lord of your life, your life will be forever changed.

25.2.11

Okay, it's time to get serious and honest. Putting music, fashion, and books aside, there is a more deeper side to me and no, it's not of the philosophical variety. I am Christian and I live to serve my Saviour passionately and wholeheartedly. If you read this and you are not a Christian, per se; that is, you do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, you should know that that is what I believe and it works and provides results for me. If you are reading this and you are not saved, first of all, I want to apologize on behalf of the body of Christ. We, as a whole and perhaps the Christians in your life, have not set a Christ-like example--an example that emulates His character. I want to apologize that we have passed judgement instead of passing love. I am deeply sorry for the utter hypocrisy in the church and that we are not real with ourselves and therefore, we are not real with you. You don't see Christ's light because we still have darkness of our own that, sadly, overshadows that light of Christ. I am also sorry that we have nothing for you to desire; there is nothing that attracts you to have Christ. And lastly, I am deeply sorrowful to say that there is nothing that makes us different from saved and unsaved. We are all the same, and we shouldn't be; we should radiate, glow and shine.

In life and as a new believer in Christ, it's important to cover all the basics of Christian theology. It is important to know the fundamentals, but in this lifetime, we need much more than God's love, grace, and mercy. However, many people (Christians included) fail to realize that with Jesus, we have everything.

1. You should know that God loves you. In spite of all your problems, issues, hurt, and failures, God loves you. He created you and He loves you. Because He created you, there is this special and private place that only He can truly fill. He loves you no matter what you do, He will always love you. He doesn't see you the way you see yourself; He sees you as His child, and He loves you. His love is powerful. It fills, it washes over you, and it is pure, authentic, real love. It does not come with strings attached, it does not come to hurt you or to abuse you, and it certainly does not come to dictate. His loves washes over your insecurities, washes you clean and as white as snow, and He makes you new. When you experience His love, there truly are no words in the English dictionary to fully encompass the feeling of when His love washes over you. God's love is unlike anything else. God loves you and will always love you and there is nothing you can do that will ever stop loving you.

2. God sent His Son to redeem us. God sent His Son as the ultimate ransom. You see, back in the Old Testament, the blood of an animal atoned, covered sin; it did not actually take the sin away. The blood of an animal merely covers or masquerades the sin; it is still there only not as visible. But it's still there. When the Blood was shed, the precious, holy, and powerful blood of Jesus was shed, it was the ultimate sacrifice: it ransomed mankind's sin. The blood of Jesus Christ does not merely cover the sin, but it completely washes it away and it is gone. Forever. Psalm 103: 13 says, He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Some people may say that Jesus was a weakling because He died and that no one in their right mind would die for us meek people. It is for that exact reason why He did. Jesus did not die for the people who could, according to highly proud people, could go to Heaven. Jesus died for the people who could not go to Heaven without Him--the people that we often raise our noses and sneer at them: homeless, criminals, drug addicts, fallen child stars, rapists, atheists. Jesus died for them because He knew that without His sacrifice, every person on earth would be condemned to hell. And God doesn't want that; He doesn't want people to go to hell, so God decided to give us His Son, sacrifice His life for us, and redeem us. Why would He do such a thing for me? you may ask? Because He loves you.

3. The Word of God is powerful. It is not a religious book (although it can be if used with wrong intentions). The Bible is alive, powerful, and at work. Hebrews 4:12 states that, For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Although the bible is written by men, those men who jotted down every paragraph, sentence, comma, and period were inspired by the Holy Spirit, who is God in Third Person (more on the Trinity later). The Word of God is not just something to be read for phonetics or superfluous reasons; it is a mighty weapon. Many people ask that when someone asks God to do something (save, heal, help, someone, etc.), why doesn't He do anything? For every single problem in life, and yes, I do mean all, there is a Word, a word of Scripture that is relevant for that said situation. God gave you the Bible so you utilize in faith. Faith is not simply acknowledging your belief; faith, according to Webster's dictionary, is complete trust and confidence in knowing what you know. Let's say, for hypothetical example, that someone is in deep debt and needs money. Rather than going to the bank and asking for more money (it is logical to conclude that in order to get out of debt, one should not ask for more money to be added to the list of debt), they lean on God's Word for money. Philippians 4:19 says, And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. If you confess this Scripture in absolute confidence, even though the situation looks bleak, the circumstance is aligning to God's Word. The situation is succumbing to the dominion of God rather than the other way around. The Word is power so when you say it with authority and confidence, knowing that what you're saying is happening, things change. Another example is, let's say, that the doctors tell you that you possess symptoms similar to cancer. You can do one of two things: (a) accept the condition, do the chemo and radiation, and fear your whole life that (if or when) the cancer is gone, it will relapse and you will eventually die before you should of. Or (b) you can refuse to accept the doctor's diagnosis (since the doctor isn't God), search all the Scriptures regarding health (such as Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 54:17), claim them over your life (knowing that you're saying is coming to pass), soak your spirit with teachings that proclaim victory over your physical body (may I suggest Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland?), refuse to allow the thought that you have cancer (you have symptoms; the battlefield in the mind so do not allow your mind and what you think dictate your life) and praise God that He is doing exactly what the Word says. The Bible is powerful only when utilized, proclaimed in faith, and be the final authority in life (not the doctor, bankers, or accountant). God's Word is power only if you use the power in it. Let me paint a picture (pardon the pun): A woman has a painting and inside the painting is a will. Only the woman cannot read so she does not know what is in the will. Eventually, the will is forgotten. When a salesman notices the painting at a garage sale (with the will inside), he reads it and discovers that the woman was to inherit one million dollars. She didn't know because she was unaware of what she contained. The Word of God is the same thing for believers. We have so much inheritance; because of ignorance or lack of teaching, we fail to realize just how much we have in Christ. The Bible is absolute power but it does not happen instantaneously. It takes time. If you run into a wall, nothing happens, but if you run into several times, accumulating force and momentum with each blow, the wall eventually breaks. In a similar note, if a water drips on a rock, nothing happens, but if water continually drips without ceasing, the rock eventually changes shape. Also, as an addendum, I should mention that the Bible is not magic. Magic is sorcery and deals with wizards and witches. They access the magic wrongly and it is darkness. It is not light and it does uplift you; it gives you control...for a while...but it does bring you to a better place. You have to ask yourself, Why do people use magic? With the Word of God spoken in faith, you cast out devils by the name of Jesus Christ. With magic, it's more complicated; spells, chants, and loosing your soul to the devil, who will never give it back, is required. With the Bible, there is power assessed because God is backing up His Word. But only if you believe what you say. Another thing you need to realize is that there is a supernatural world, one that is undetected by the naked eye. When you speak the Word of God in faith, in the supernatural realm (which God controls), the situation begins to shift in accordance to the Bible. The Word of God assesses into another dimension that cannot otherwise be tapped into. The wonderful thing about the Word of God is not the encouragement that fills you when you read it or the affirmation of God's amazing attributes, but the fact that the Word of God brings results. It brings fruitful results.

24.2.11

It comes to no surprise that celebrities are the first when it comes to trends and wearing designer finds. I myself do not like to look at celebrities because most often, they wear detestable ensembles simply because it is a designer brand. They often wear ugly clothing only because the tag says Balenciaga or Burberry. There are those few times when celebrities wear wearable, fashionable clothes that emulates an old-school glamour. Personally, I don't find myself gravitating towards celebs to look for fashion inspiration, but since celebrities have a certain of financial stability (for some, for now), they can afford--let's face it--more fashionable finds than one can discover at TJ Maxx or at Macy's. I have travelled abroad several times; I have gone to Europe enough times to let you know that when you see certain celebrities "caught off guard" by the paparazzi and they are wearing put-together ensembles and you think to yourself: "Who wears that casually?", they are wearing what simple people wear in Europe. (What celebrities wear in Europe is nothing what star favourites such as Jessica Alba or Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing. The wife of France's president--Carla Bruni--is the epitome of Euro fashion and a reincarnation of Jackie O style.) In fact, in Zurich, Switzerland, that is what people wear to the grocery store. In Europe, people are much more fashionable, more in tune to vogue, and seem more put together. In a nation that stabilizes based on position, clothing is everything. Since I can't travel to Europe every time I want to renew my mind regarding fashion, celebrities are a good alternative. My top 5 in Casual Wednesday (or any other day for the week for that matter...):

1.

Although this seems a tad formal, this simple top and pants ensemble is simple yet chic. I would wear this to the mall or to the movies (albeit with some shoes, perhaps a nice pair of flats). The difference between going overboard and looking sloppy is looking chic: appearing put together with little effort.

2.

This is the classic European look: a striped shirt, dark jeans, a trench coat (or pea coat or leather jacket), a small scarf, and a handbag. Serena Van der Woodsen is the epitome of European vogue. Wander the streets of Paris or Zurich and you won't stand out; in fact, you'll blend in since mostly every female from 15-37 wears different variations of this particular look. Add a Burberry in there--a coat, a scarf, a bag--and you'll be the envy of the Friday shopping crawl.

3.

This is a very simple look. All she is wearing is a pair of jeans, a black top, and a blazer. However, what makes her outfit shine is the heels. Dress up your look in heels and you look better than average. Just because you wear heels doesn't mean you're going to prom or a formal dinner. It is okay to wear heels on casual occasions. Encouraged even.

4.

Again, Demi is simply wearing a striped tunic with legging, black leather boots, and a belt. She's not wearing a dress and yet this is a nice look for shopping in L.A. (or anywhere else for that matter). She looks done up without trying too hard. You want to look put together and appear nicely-dressed without looking like you're trying to look nice. This look is effortlessly cool.

5.

Emmy Rossum, viewed here departing from an airport, has a style that works on (and off) the airplane. Donning a simple yet stylish grey crew neck sweater, a pair of jeans, and a simple pair of black flats (Chanel perhaps?), it is a very simple outfit. The strap bag adds personality to her look and the fedora is optional. In conclusion, you can look comfy and casual but still draw attraction to yourself without trying.

23.2.11

Today, I have been fortunate enough to experience a temperature high in Sarasota: 86. And usually, when the weather is this mild and this humid (96% humidity), I can be found lounging by the pool or chilling at Siesta Key. I like to tan; but I also like to swim. In another life, I would have been a mermaid (or a gymnast...), and when I like to tan (albeit I am already considerably "dark"), a similarity found amongst many, I listen to my iPod, listening to calm, soothing tunes. I have a large variety of genres for different and specified moods, but for tanning/going to the beach/lounging in the sun, my music has to fit a specific mood. When I am relaxing, I like to listen to relaxed and tranquilizing melodies. In true beach fashion, this specific playlist is certainly trite, with its surfboard anthems, overused titles, and simple guitar chords, but when I want to enjoy the sun, these songs induce a sleep that is perfectly remedial.

Summertime playlist:

1. Our Swords--Band of Horses

2. Falling Out of Trees, It's About Time, Stars, Lesser Things, Come Back When You Can, Get Up, Response, You Will Pull Through, Numb, Please Don't Go, and the Takers--Barcelona

27. Bitter Heart, Poppy, Honey Bee, Is This the End?, Monte, Kantoi, I Am Me Once More, Darlin' It Ain't Easy, and the Story—Zee Avi

Even if you're at home, under a thick blanket of snow, these songs and its melodies, whisk you to a warm and beautiful place. (If you're looking for more music in regard to this genre—surfy rock/pop—go to http://music.pacsun.com.I guarantee you that they have seriously good surfy, beachy music. I suppose it helps that their headquarters is located in California...)

22.2.11

In all honesty, everyone wants a good friend--a real friend. No one wants a comrade who will leave you in the dust, treats you poorly, and makes you feel horrible about yourself after you have with her (as I am referring to female friends, not guy friends). If people were like that, you wouldn't want to be friends with them! Usually, friends come under similar criteria and have ideal protocol: honest, funny, adventurous, trustworthy, loyal, dependable, etc. Everyone wants a friend when they have been heartbroken and hurt, your friend will come to the rescue with a tub of ice cream, you favourite magazine, and listen to you rant, sob, and whine about your misfortune. Afterward, she will give you kind and warm advice, not because she wants you to fix what has been broken, but to pick up the broken pieces, put them together again, and move on. In times of distress, you want to know that your friend is there and she will continue being your friend during turbulent times. There are no strings attached to your friendship; she merely enjoys your company and simply just wants to be your friend without the complications that people pen on such comradeships. However, what happens when there are strings attached? When people are friends with you just for your assets? What happens when people leave you when you say the right thing just because it's the right thing? Oftentimes (and I speak of my own experience), a friend must make a difficult decision: say the right thing because it is the right thing to do, even if she doesn't see it, or ignore what your heart is telling you and continue being her friend. A friend isn't a friend unless she has your best interests at heart with good intentions and morals. You know you can depend on her because she is honest, loyal, and morally correct. But...what happens when you have to tell the hard truth, the truth that no one wants to hear? Do you say it then? Or do you shut your mouth because you want her to still be your friend, despite that you are forcing and compromising in the process? Everyone wants a good friend; but when it's time to prove it, all it is are empty words. When people lose friends on account of telling the truth (or is aligning to God's Word) and they grew offended and have deserted them, you see their true colours, you see what they are really like as a friend. After all, a person's true character is revealed under challenging, pressuring, and difficult adversities. They aren't very good friends. You are a good friend to them but they are not good friends with you. Especially when it was time to prove it. When I have told several of my friends the truth, not because I had intentions to hurt them but because I had their best interests at heart, they grew offended at my analysis, confrontation, judgement, whatever they wish to call it, and stopped speaking with me completely. Perhaps then it might have sounded harsh (to anyone who doesn't want to hear the truth, but knows it, no one wants to be told that in the face, to spoken in existence, because that means acknowledging it, and if you don't acknowledge it, maybe it will go away...), but later, it will be recognized as a good deed. If you are sick, do you want people to incubate that sickness, or do you want people to tell you that there is another way? Of course! Even when it requires hard work, discipline, and tearing away pieces of your flesh? Well...hold on a minute...are you telling me that you are better than me/you know more than me/that makes you better than that you know that? If you're hurt, you want to be mended, correct? Correct. Even if it requires putting your flesh to rest? Well...I'm not so sure about that. A real friend is someone who is willing to sacrifice one's friendship in order to say the truth because you love them, because you want to see your friend better (and not in bondage, sickness, or brokenness), and because you know what the right thing to do is...even if that costs you your friendship. If someone refuses to accept that (or even mediate on your words), then they are not your friends. You accept their hard-hearing truth, but they can't accept yours? What a double standard. And I thought friendships came without double standards, such as hypocrisy. Is that the kind of friend you want? Certainly not me.

20.2.11

I must admit: I am quite idiosyncratic. I have a Hottie of the Month. I have phases; one moment I am crushing on Ian Harding. The next, it's someone new. I have crushes like the phases of the moon. Recently, to fuel my (evident and blase oblivion) attraction to boys, I have just recently discovered Gilmore Girls. I know what you're thinking: it's been four years since the series run; why now? Actually, that's a good question. You see, I have limited channels. Unlike the US, Canada has very limited network channels. No ABC Family, no Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, etc., etc., etc. Because of this, I have incessant show revelations that would classify me as a freak since they are not new to the world, but new to me. Gilmore Girls is a wonderful show that isn't overly dramatic--the type of drama that leaves one imminent to rolling one's eyes and wonder, How in the world would that ever happen? Like every other show, it has boys. Cute boys. And it seems silly that I am only discovering them (or rather, he) now when several years previously, he was plastered on every teen magazine sold on stands. And since I have boy data overload, I am going to share them with you, simply because when I have boy-data-overload-itis, I burst like a flooding dam. And that is not a pretty sight. In commemoration to V-day that just recently passed, here is a list of boys that I find utterly adorable. In no particular order.

Okay, might I just say that Carter Jenkins has an acute alikeness to Milo Ventimiglia (Jess from Gilmore Girls)? I have always found that dark and handsome variety extremely sexy.

Jared Padalecki is just so freaking handsome! I actually regret not discovering him earlier. Of all the characters on Gilmore Girls, he is of natural beauty. Milo was cute, then, but now, he just looks so...old. But Jared, hot as ever. His wife must be fortunate to have married him.

I don't usually like boys in hats or long hair, but there is this particular essence to Tyler Blackburn that oozes mystery and intrigue that is uber sexy.

Every time I lock eyes with Prince Caspian (aka. Ben Barnes), I renew my decision of decreeing Mediterranean boys the most attractive men on this planet. (This is biased, as I have mostly met Spanish and Italians.) Add his accent...he is just irresistible.

There is just something about big nice lips and a wonderful accent that makes a girl listen to him talk all day long. Although he might not have the slightest clue of what he is conversing on, his accent makes him sound a connoisseur of the trade. Gregg Sulkin is one of them.

Ian Harding, you are adorable. He emulates that boy next door, love-you-forever look. I like you.

I know, I know! I featured Jared Padalecki twice. But that is only because I find so cute! That hair...I just want to run my hand through his thick mane like Lane did. His deep, dark eyes...you lose yourself in a maze of wonder. And his smile...I seriously adore men with beautiful, white teeth. I find teeth an important factor to attractiveness. And Jared, baby, you have it. He seriously has like, the perfect face: nice hair, beautiful teeth, nice lips, awesome eyes. He is the perfect package.

Now, this may go without saying and I might perhaps sound redundant, but I like boys of a specific appearance. Not that I'm biased towards men of particular look; it's just that I'm drawn towards tall, dark, and handsome. But hey, I like blond with green eyes too. But I have a magnetic attraction to guys of certain looks. What do you think?

15.2.11

I love shopping. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I am a shopaholic. Perhaps that's not the correct term; I enjoy fashion. I really do. Most of the people I know consider fashion something only the wealthy can afford, but I beg to differ. Fashion is the outmost expression of one's style and artistry. A not-so-wealthy person can have style--before Audrey Hepburn was Audrey Hepburn, she was taught how to acquire taste. (Perhaps this might be the result because Audrey was the result of a baroness.) Just because money is tight doesn't mean you can't have taste. If you know where to shop around, then you know which places has this or that. Which is why I love TJ Maxx. Specifically, I love the TJ Maxx in Sarasota, Florida. I've always liked that particular store when I shopped there last year. It has everything: shoes (Coach at $60); bags (Michael Kors for $100); dresses (Calvin Klein and BCBG to name a few...at $60+); and accessories at reasonable prices. Another thing I should probably mention, I also like high-end fashion as well. My favourites are Marc by Marc Jacobs, alice + olivia, Rebecca Taylor, Rag + Bone, Madewell, and Tory Burch to name a few. However, the prices...? Not so hot. It's not that I'm in a position where financial possibilities are strained; I just think that quality and quantity should have an equilibrium. In most cases, it's not. Which is why, again, I love TJ Maxx. Today, on a particular shopping endeavour, I came across several Marc by Mac Jacobs swimsuit attire...at $50! I also saw Prada shoes for $350. You don't pay that little for Prada even at consignment stores (and I've visited several). And they were new! And they were adorable. If only I had an excuse to purchase such an extravagant pair of shoes...In addition, I also saw a pair of brown loafers by Salvatore Ferragamo for $200. I was taken aback at the collection of high-end designers at TJ Maxx. Coach, Michael Kors, DKNY, Tods, ...the list can go on. In conclusion, I am a maxxionista--a TJ Maxx shopping follower, something I will carry late in my life. If you can find something identical that is available at a different store but at half-price, would you buy it? Of course you would. You wouldn't even blink. Especially at a name like Prada. In short, TJ Maxx is my favourite store, something I do not say frivolously.

14.2.11

A serious prerequisite I consider whenever I enter a relationship--or a dating courtship of some sort--, there must be an attraction--whether that be in witty remarks or in conversation. We just have to click. If there is no click at the beginning, there will likely not be along the way. That is not to say that spending time with that said person will accumulate that click. But spending time with that person is clicking; your conversation is natural: not artificial but genuine. That being said, whenever I admire a guy (whether from afar--Hollywood--or closer to home), there has to be at least ten reasons why I like him, not just for his body or smile. Unfortunately, if only I had taken my own advice several months prior to this publication. Nonetheless, there has to be ten concrete reasons all based on character on why I like you and why I want to spend time with you. So, in tangent to Valentine's Day, the most romantic day of the year, apparently, I always remind myself of why I love this person or that person. But in Jesus' case, the true holder of my heart, ten reasons only begin to describe His love for me. While the rest of the world celebrates love, lust, and infatuation (guilty of the latter!), I am overflowed with such a love that no Valentine's Day festivity can agglomerate. Unlike the love portrayed in entertainment mediums, His love is genuine, pure, and authentic. Now, that is a love worth celebrating.

Yes, I do realize this is a cliched holiday; you either love it or hate it. I'm not against V-day, per se; it's just that while the media portrays that you need to have someone by your side, this holiday really does make you feel crummy if you don't have a boyfriend, simply because for about half a month, all you see in grocery stores are I Love You candies, teddy bears, chocolates, and other superficial, unoriginal paraphernalia. In fact, many fail to realize and understand the root of this holiday. Originating in ancient Rome, Valentine's Day actually started when a man, known by the name St. Valentine, went on February 14th and gave gifts to orphaned children. This was a rich man who genuinely loved God who wanted to spread love: true, genuine love. Yet another holiday starting to glorify God and ending in paganism. So, if you're like me--single with a capital S--, you will likely spend V-day watching chick flicks, pigging out with veggies (*scoff* not), and looking at the screen while the female protagonist falls in love with the charming, handsome male protagonist. Ah, the agony. The one day where the world has to practically scream to the world "I have a handsome significant other", the rest of the population wallows in self-pity at the realization that half of the world has someone whilst we have not. So, here are my 10 favourite chick flicks of all time.

1. The Notebook

2. Titanic

3. Pride & Prejudice

4. Dirty Dancing

5. Pretty in Pink

6. Roman Holiday

7. Just Like Heaven

8. Leap Year

9. A Walk to Remember

10. Prince & Me

And since I am boyfriendless (nothing to be ashamed of), my valentine is Ezra Fitz. Officially. Well, actually, my valentine is Ian Harding, the actor who plays Ezra Fitz on Pretty Little Liars.

Isn't he dreamy? He's hot. Plain and simple. And for once, this is one Valentine's Day I'll actually enjoy. (P.S. Ian Harding, if you come across this page, please ignore my evident infatuation with you; it's nothing big. I'll probably get over when the real thing comes along, i.e., someone who is not famous.)

11.2.11

I have always been a naturally athletic kid. As a youth, I could be found playing on the monkey bars all day long. I just loved it. And I was really good at it too. I could do tricks no one else (in my school) could do. I was given the appropriate moniker "Queen of the Monkey Bars". As much as I adored the nickname, I never really gave it much thought. I've wanted to be something more than a kid playing on a jungle gym, but at the time, that wasn't even a possibility. Then, Make It or Break It comes into the picture. A riveting drama about four Olympic hopefuls, I was struck by Emily's (second from the left; third from the right) character. She was discovered at a YMCA in Fresno, California, but before then, she was playing on the jungle gyms and monkey bars in various parks. At that moment, I thought, Hey! Maybe if I was given the chance and the financial opportunity, perhaps I could have been a nationally-ranked gymnast. I recalled all the memories of my natural flexibility, my inane ability to create flamboyant routines on bars, and how I taught myself how to do a front handspring at just nine years old. It was then that I decided that I definitely could have become a gymnast; had I gone to formal training...who knows? Maybe you could have watched me at 2012 in London. The characteristic matched: I was notoriously competitive, naturally flexible, and easily coachable. When I realized that I wanted to start gymnastics, it was too late: I was too old (fifteen). So, in spite of my what-could-have-been thoughts, I watched Make It or Break It adoringly, imagining that that the gymnast on screen was me.

10 Reasons Why I Love Make It or Break It:

1. The drama. Let's face it: if a show does not draw you in and does not have moments that tantalizes your imagination, no one would watch. This series is no different. Although most of the stuff would never happen (going on vault after a minor injury to name one), the drama opens eyes to a realistic portrayal of an Olympic hopeful. Betrayal between teammates that eventually drive a wedge between them. Secrets that must be kept or be forced to resign your position in gymnastics. The turmoil in the gymnastic community. All make you keep wondering: What will happen next?

2. The stunts. Whenever I see a gymnast perform a stunt (double Arabian, Geiger, etc.), I will imagine that I am incorporating them into my own routine, along to Flyleaf's In the Dark. I watch this show, see the stunts, and imagine myself doing that very move. Then it's back to reality and realize that I can't do anything past a handspring or full.

3. The location. The initial setting is in Boulder, Colorado, but the show has a variety of locations where contenders have invitations, competitions, Nationals, or World's. France, Brazil, and China are just to name a few. Nice to know that a show isn't geographically illiterate.

7. The leotards. The leos are something I thought I would never want to wear, but alas, it seems that things (and opinions) can change. Though there is a vast variety of leotards, Lauren (first from left) wears my favourite. Plus, the leo makes you feel like an actual gymnast. (Write leotard on birthday list...)

8. Lauren's hairstyles. She is extremely eclectic to her hairdos, ranging from crimped hair, to updos, to braided bangs. It makes me wish I had longer hair (and extensions...). She is one to emulate, mane wise.

9. The relationships. Make It or Break It shows the different ranges of relationships: coach and gymnast mom, coach and gymnast, fellow gymnast with another gymnast, coach and director of the gym, mother and daughter, sister and brother, and daughter and father. I think the one that keeps my interest is between Summer and Sasha. I know it's the oldest, but there is something forbidden about their relationship that keeps everyone's attention on the screen to see what is next for them.

10. Candace Cameron-Bure. Yay! One reason I watch this show. She plays Summer Van Horn, a woman who is dating Steven Tanner (interesting that Bure's name in Full House was Tanner also...), Lauren's father. They eventually break it off, but she is still involved at the Rock (hence the relationship between Sasha (the coach) and herself. Also, her presence on the show is evident. Since Bure herself is a Christian, her character is also a Christian, which in turn influences the show. She speaks about abstinence, her love for the Lord, her desire to follow Him, and the way she manages to keep her value intact, and how everyone respects her because of that.

10.2.11

Although I am not a particular fan of the show Gossip Girl, I absolutely adore the fashion. It's refreshing to see a show that does not style horribly-put together ensembles that depicts the lack of knowledge in North America regarding fashion. Karl Lagerfeld once stated: Fashion is intelligence. I completely agree. You need to have a basic knowledge of fashion or just clothing in general. In particular, one should know what styles suits, flatters, and looks uncouth on one. Then, one can assort a wardrobe from that understanding. In Gossip Girl, Blair is classy, stylish, and chic. She emulates and reincarnates an Audrey-esque poise that very few people can pull off. Thus, I have collected my favourite Blair outfits.

Here, she channels what is regular euro vogue--regular Friday attire.

While it's just a shirt and skirt combo, the elegance speaks volume.

Classic 50s formal wear.

The Great Gatsby anyone?

Everything about her outfit is divine.

I fancy the prep look myself; I just don't like looking like a goody-two shoes. Here, Blair clearly shows that you can look smart and fashionable.

Ideal for a summer party. No white after Labor Day? Not according to Blair Waldorf.

Looking professional often makes one look much too older. Here, Blair distributes a professional look with one's personal touch. Or, in her case: a red bag, a scarf (a la Audrey), and her fashion staple--a headband. An ideal university interview look.

21. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?, Change is Hard, and I Was Made For You--She & Him. A refreshing sunny tune, each different in its own uniqueness. In a world saturated in being the Next Big Thing, this band's roots goes back to the 50s (oh yay), where it revises the seemingly forgotten genre.

22. Whispers in the Dark--Skillet. This bands seriously thrills a crowd with its fire, smoke, and neon-lit platforms, this song is power rock at its finest. The guitars is just so good. It also reminds you that you really are never alone; God is always with you, even if it's that little voice called conscience.

23. Hey Hey--Superchick. Basically, long story short: Don't ever sell yourself out. Stay true to who you are. In a world of sellouts, where people compromise to catch of glimpse of potential fame, power, popularity, etc, the lyrics is the essence of the message echoed everywhere. Why kiss the feet of the people who kick you when you can be anything you want to?

24. On Fire--Switchfoot. Usually, I would put all the song by the same artist in one listing, but there are special meanings to these forthcoming six songs by Switchfoot. Although the band has no extraordinary talent or education (hello, Queen?), but this particular song is all about that tingly feeling you experience whenever you enter God's presence. It's so surreal that the lyrics express exactly how I feel: I'm on fire when I see you, I'm on fire when He's near, I'm on fire burning at these mysteries...

25. I Dare You to Move. First premiering on A Walk to Remember, this song has sparked international success for its simple yet truth-endearing message. With all the turmoil of life, sorrow, and heartache, don't let that define you; don't let that trouble bring you down. It's difficult to arise your broken heart and smile again, but I dare you to, even if it makes you cry. You will see the sun tomorrow.

26. We Are One Tonight. We are people--we cry, we smile, we stumble, and we crack. That doesn't give us any dissimilarity to anyone else. We still have flaws, special talents, and the ability to love. This song always remind me of that clay ornament with four people holding hands.

27. Lonely Nation. The statement money can't buy you happiness is true, but it's incomplete. By itself, money doesn't provide happiness. You can have a million things but without God by your side, it's empty and pointless. Our world is searching forsomething and that something is God but they don't want to admit it. I don't want their loneliness, their sadness, and their emptiness.

28. Always. God's promise to us: He will always love us. His love, unlike man's conditional love, is unconditional--regardless of the circumstance. I just love that.

29. Free. The premise is that everyone is a slave: a slave to anger, addiction, lying, stealing, cheating, unfaithfulness, whatever. The lyrics inside this shell is a prison cell is a sad reality because they are caged without any method of freedom. Whether unsaved or a brother or sister in captivity, Jesus bought the freedom, therefore we don't need to live in chains. Or live in bondage without any chains...

31. Everybody Wants to Rule the World--Tears for Fears. An avid fan of the 80s, this tune is light enough to transport you to the era of music. The sound is the epitome of the 80s. A good listen.

32. Tempted--Sharon Leal. A song featured on Hellcats (a great show), this is actually a rendition of the original song by Squeeze. However, this version is way better. Trust me on this: worth $1.29.

33. Fresh Pair of Eyes--Brooke Waggoner. The tune, the humming, and the overall mood of the song is something you can listen to on a rainy day, when all you do is look outside at the dark and sunless sky and daydream about something or someone...

34. Sweet Disposition--The Temper Trap. Okay, I admit it: If I hadn't watched(500) Days of Summer, I probably wouldn't have discovered this gem of a song. And that would be a shame. It's of the indie genre, but I assure you that you won't soon forget this song in One Hit Wonderland. This song is good to stay.

35. Call My Name, Run to You, Born Again, King of Glory, and God of Wonders--Third Day. Sometimes, you don't want to listen to rock or pop; sometimes, you want to listen to some uplifting music to soar your spirits. These songs bring you a place of humbleness as you imagine how utterly insignificant we are in this vast and large universe yet how precious we are, how significant we are. And how God is always there, how He is our help, and how He will always come through.

36. The Invitation, Welcome to the Masquerade, Bring Me to Life, and E for Extinction--Thousand Foot Krutch. Hailing from Canada, this band can seriously rock. Guitars, vocals, drumming...pure awesomeness.

37. Lose My Soul--TobyMac. It's true: I don't want to gain the whole world, be extremely popular but forget God. I don't want to gain everything in this world for throw away the only thing that matters: God. God permits my entrance to Heaven but friends can drag me to Hell. Who would you rather serve?

38. Horchata, Run, Cousins, Giving Up the Gun, and Ottoman--Vampire Weekend. I admit: indie music can easily turn from unique to weird. But this band (forming at an Ivy League school) proves to bash all indie music stereotypes. Totally and completely unique.

39. Quick Fix--VV Brown. Retro, funky, spunky, fresh, modern, fun. This all encompasses VV Brown's sound. This song is like vintage with a modern edge. Probably my favourite artist from across the pond.

40. Kokomo and Good Vibrations--Beach Boys. I love surf-y music. It reminds me of the beach, palm trees, and (of course) boys in trunks. These boys from California make music that makes you want to hop on a plane and jet to sunny Cali or Florida and lay on a beach and tan. But, since this is in the 60s (hello vintage nautical), that just makes it that much cooler.

41. In the Dark--Flyleaf. I have saved the best for last. This has to be my all-time favourite song ever. Although I have many I prefer and favour, this, without a doubt, tops them all. Every time, and I do mean every time, I hear this, I always envision a mega epic floor routine. And that I'm a gymnast. And that I can do awesome aerial tricks. Alright, so there are multiple factors that contribute to my preference.

42. Longtime/Foreplay--Boston. Epic. That is the only world to describe it. Just plain epic. Don't understand? Listen to the intro (the song is about 8 minutes long) and then you'll understand. Perfectly.

BEST ALBUMS:

I mostly purchase songs and albums via internet; however, there are some albums that are worthwhile to get in store and have a hard copy rather than the one from iTunes.

8.2.11

I am a self-professed music lover. My musical taste is eclectic, ranging from classic 50s pop (hence my ardor for the 50s...or one of them anyway) to hard, hard rock to glamazon techno to soft indie surf music. In lieu of spending the entire winter in a cold winter land, I have the privilege of spending two months in sunny Sarasota, Florida. Rather than meter-high snow banks, I see pools, palm trees, and an imminent tan. Like every other travel endeavour, every road trip has a soundtrack. Which just happens to be a compilation of my all-time songs...and the reasons why...and me being me, there just has to be a reason behind everything, even if it just includes cover art.

1. Stuck on Repeat--Little Boots. If you're looking for a hyper, upbeat workout song, this is it. It's actually composed by instruments and listening to it, this fact astounds me. A work of pure genius.

2. Barbie Girl, Dr. Jones, Happy Boys and Girls, and Lollipop (Candyman)--Aqua. Nostalgic of the 90s, I actually bought the Aquarium album from the band hailing from Denmark. This euro-pop band just has to be the coolest band of all time.

3. Salt Air--Chew Lips. If, like me, you think pop music is way too over done (sorry Katy Perry), this band features a unique take on pop and indie culture as we know it.

4. You Got Me--Colbie Caillat. Super, super cute song! This song epitomizes the cute, romantic feelings every teenager wants to have. The simplistic melody, the catchy beat, and lovable lyrics, this tune deserves a place for Valentines Day lovers everywhere.

5. A Teenager in Love--Dion and the Belmonts. It's from the 50s. It's about teenagers in love. It has a man with a melodic voice. Best. Love. Song. Ever. And it didn't have to end in a comprisable position. Probably the sweetest song I've heard to date.

6. Dear X, You Don't Own Me--Disciple. A rocking song about how toxic emotions (anger, pain, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.) doesn't own us; we own them. Jesus overcame these emotions at the Cross and we therefore don't have to live with it. A powerful anthem of incontrovertible truth.

7. The Day I Lost My Voice (The Suitcase Song)--Copeland. A song that I could listen to over and over on a dismal, rainy day. Perfect for lazying around.

8. How Many Kings--Downhere. Even though it's technically a Christmas song, the message is eternal: How else would offer his life for us other than Jesus? It is a beautiful song depicting the love God has for us that He willingly sent His Son to completely and fully redeem us. A worthy song.

9. Fire in My Eyes--Firelight. Lots of rock, ignition, and inertia. Great, great song if you seriously want to whip your hair back and forth.

10. Head First--Goldfrapp. An airy song that feels as though you are lifted in a dream. Plus, the whole album to which it belongs is like a warm hug from 1983.

11. Grease--Frankie Valli. I honestly can't tell if the beat of the song belongs to the 50s, 60s, or the 70s. Still, an awesome song from an equally awesome movie.

12. Lucky--Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. I was wrong; this is the best love song ever. It is so sweet, it's almost saccharine...but it's not because the realism in the lyrics transports you to a place where you are in love with your best friend.

13. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop--Landon Pigg. This song wants you to daydream, to bring you to a place where, like a mystical music video, this boy walks in, makes intense eye contact with you, and falls in love with you. I feel as thought a million and one book ideas can come from a single song.

15. Clipping, Armistice, Clockwork, Control, Progress, Break the Same, Stare at the Sun, Obselete, Photograph, Stall Out, and Peculiar People--MuteMath. Okay, so he may not have the best singing tenor in the world, but the sound of this band, hailing from the Jazz Capital in the United States--New Orleans--, is absolutely fantastic. You should definitely check them out; you won't regret it.

16. Gutter--Paper Route. It's hard to depict whether they are a pop or techno band; either way, they really have such a unique sound, that it makes you want to tap your feet or join in with them. So catchy.

17. Decode--Paramore. Yes, I realize this is going to sound trite, but the song really does sum up the mood and idea in Twilight. Hayley Williams' voice just screams the angst of Bella's unlikely entanglement to Edward.

18. Eye to Eye--Powerline. The song from my all-time favourite movie of all time: A Goofy Movie. Love, love, love!

19. Fight Inside--RED. A truthful song explaining how, as a Christian, we constantly struggle between God's Will and what we want. There is a incessant struggle between spirit and flesh. A realistic portrayal of how the battle within us will either corrupt us or succumb to our dominion.

20. Never Be Anyone Else But You--Ricky Nelson. I have an obvious love for classic songs. Ricky Nelson, crooner of the 50s, sings about that special person. A beautiful song.

7.2.11

A first blog is nothing short of exciting. I view this as a form of a soup, metaphorically speaking: It consists of everything from my thoughts on Christianity, to fashion, to music, to everything in between. I hold no truth back; this will include brutal honesty, something my peers considers intimidating. I specifically named this Stuck in the 50s simply because the 50s was a beautiful era: Audrey Hepburn; boys wore hats and blazers and they were nothing short of a gentleman; the fashion was the epitome of grace, poise, and classic simplicity; and hospitality was genuine. This will be a sort of weekly (or bi- or tri-weekly) blog.